Click on one of the icons to the left and slide the bar in the middle of the photos to compare the landmarks as they appear now and in history. Hear narration and read brief histories of these places as told by local historians. We will add new photo segments weekly.

Mitch Gruber

Assistant Researcher, City of Rochester

Mitch Gruber is a native Rochesterian who is working on a Ph.D. in history from the University of Rochester. He also serves as the Food Access Program Manager at Foodlink, the food bank of the Genesee Valley/Finger Lakes.

Michelle Finn

Deputy Historian, City of Rochester

Michelle Finn is the Deputy Historian for the City of Rochester. A native Rochesterian, she received her Ph.D. in History from the University of Rochester in May 2012.

Jeff Ludwig

Historical Researcher, City of Rochester

Jeff Ludwig came to Rochester in 2006 after living in Pennsylvania and Maryland. A researcher in the City Historian’s office, he earned his PhD in American History from the University of Rochester in November 2014.

Emily Morry

Historical Researcher, City of Rochester

Emily Morry, a historical researcher in the City Historian’s Office, completed a Ph.D. in American history at the University of Rochester in 2012.

Bob Marcotte

Former D&C Editor

Bob Marcotte retired from the Democrat and Chronicle as a columnist, blogger and assistant design editor. He is a native of Lawrence, Kansas, and moved to Rochester in 1976 to work for the Rochester Times-Union.